DIFFERENT BENEFITS FOR YOUR FAMILY’S DIFFERENT SITUATIONS
DIFFERENT BENEFITS FOR YOUR FAMILY’S DIFFERENT SITUATIONS
By Ethel N. Barnes
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
National Family Month takes place each year from Mother’s Day in May to Father’s Day in June, and coincides with the end of the school year when families are able to spend even more time together. It is the perfect time to spend more time focusing on each member of your family.
Social Security has your entire family in mind when it comes to coverage and benefits. We’re here to help everyone in the family— during every stage of life.
Most people think of retirement benefits when they think about Social Security, and that certainly is a big part of what we do. In fact, most of the benefits we pay go to retirees and their families—about 41 million people. However, Social Security is more than retirement.
If you work and pay Social Security taxes during your lifetime, you can look forward to a strong foundation of income in retirement from Social Security. Social Security was never intended to be your sole source of retirement income. It is a foundation upon which you build with pensions, savings, and other income.
If you become disabled before you retire and are unable to continue working to support your family, Social Security has you covered with disability benefits. If you have a disability that is expected to last a year or longer, or result in death, you should apply for disability benefits.
Your work and taxes cover not only you, but your entire family. Family benefits can include retirement, disability and, in the event of your death, survivors benefits. This coverage includes everyone in your family who depends on you for support, such as your minor children who are under age 18, or age 19 if still in secondary school, as well as your spouse. It also can include older children who have severe disabilities that began before age 22. In some cases, parents and grandchildren can qualify for family benefits if they depend on your income and you are their only means of support
So whether through survivors, disability, or retirement benefits, Social Security is here to help you and your entire family when the need arises.
And the best way to apply for benefits is online at www.socialsecurity.gov.
To learn more, read or listen to the publication, Understanding the Benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.
